When i first started this fibro journey the Drs had no idea what was wrong with me. When finally diagnosed it was a relief

I’m newly diagnosed as well. I figure my symptoms have been around for almost 20 years. I don’t know what I finally said or did to make primary doctor start sending me in a different direction. Most of them would just order X-rays and blood tests and then I would have to start all over again because there would be a new doctor assigned. I went from being shocked to finally have an actual answer. Then I was overwhelmed. Then I got sad knowing it wasn’t going to get better but happy it wasn’t going to kill me. And not I’m somewhere in the middle

@A MyFibroTeam Member, my family doctor also prescribed Naproxen, when I described my muscle pain, and when asked if there was a specialist I could see, he told me there wasn’t?
As with you, the Naproxen helped with the pain, but didn’t resolve the underlying issues and also led to possible kidney problems. It wasn’t until I got denied for disability, that my lawyer had asked if I had seen a specialist and was shocked by the answer my doctor had given me and gave me information to the local pain clinic where I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and eventually being rewarded my disability benefits.
It took about 5 years to get my diagnosis, but after doing some research, everything made sense. I went through the “Stages of Grief” and was lucky enough to get to the “Acceptance” stage and learned to pace myself and go with “The Flow”.
Not everyone gets to “Acceptance”, but once you do, you’ll be able to see life in a different light. Sure, you’re not the same person you once were, but with a little self care and a good support system (Doctors, Family, Friends) that understands and believes your diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, you can have a productive and fulfilling life. You’re going to experience those in your life who will not understand or accept the “New You” and most of us find that life is better without the stress that they represent, so be prepared for that.
All I can say is to invest in yourself, learn that saying “No” is OK and may be necessary to help keep your pain levels manageable and mental health stable. Learning to pace yourself, will give you more “Good Days”, I think everyone eventually realizes this, one way or the other.
https://youtu.be/Gd3w_DVZ67Q

Mentioned Users

A MyFibro...

I've mentioned this before. My husband had a secretary with fibromyalgia. He noticed that my symptoms were similar. I went to the doctor and told him that my husband said the F word. The doctor said that he had been trying not to say the F word for years. He checked my trigger points and concurred. I was furious that he knew and didn't inform me. Once I knew I could start gathering information and treating my symptoms. This was before we had the Internet, but I had friends with fibromyalgia and picked their brains for information.

Just know that you're not alone and be thankful for everything you can do. I began a journal and the first set of things I write down are three things that I am grateful for. The second set is the things that I accomplished that day. I am going through a very sick spell, and I have had this for 30 years! I can't say that the Spells get any easier, but I just tell myself that things will get better and they do.
I pray a lot and ask God to give me the strength to accept this and know that he suffered for us and will reward us in the afterlife.
The hardest part is that it is an invisible illness and not even our families get it. This site can be very helpful, and we really need to encourage one another! Hugs, Janice